Jammu: As the year 2024 draws to a close, the “dual power structure,” more accurately described as “Delhi-controlled governance,” in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir remains a contentious issue, casting a shadow over the political dynamics of the territory.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a fresh development highlighting this power struggle is the release of the 2025 holiday list by the IIOJK government, which has reignited debates surrounding the authority of the elected government and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s administration.
On Sunday, the General Administration Department (GAD) of IIOJK issued the list of holidays for 2025, which, among others, excluded the commemoration of Martyrs’ Day on July 13. These holidays were removed following the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. The National Conference (NC), which heads the current government, had earlier pledged to restore these holidays, including the one marking the birth anniversary of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s grandfather. The exclusion has raised questions about the “real power” dynamics in the territory. The ongoing struggle between the elected government, led by the NC, and the LG, appointed by the Indian government, has further fueled the debate on the territory’s actual control over decision-making processes.
National Conference MLA and Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq condemned the exclusion of these holidays, accusing the BJP-led government of disregarding Kashmir’s history and democratic struggles. Sadiq reaffirmed that despite the omission, the legacy of the martyrs of July 13 would remain intact, and their holiday would be reinstated.
The controversy stems from the dual power structure where the elected government, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and the Lieutenant Governor, who holds real executive powers, find themselves at odds. This arrangement has led to delays in implementing policies, especially when it comes to sensitive issues like the restoration of cultural and political symbols in the territory.
Although Kashmiris no longer hold respect for Sheikh Abdullah due to his accord with Indira Gandhi, the exclusion of his birth anniversary holiday from the 2025 holiday list clearly highlights who is ruling the roost, especially given that he is the grandfather of the current chief minister. As the occupied territory moves into 2025, the question of who truly holds power remains unresolved, as New Delhi seems unwilling to hand powers to the elected government led by Omar Abdullah.